Ron Paul, Fred Thompson Lead Newsmax Poll

Newsmax’s Internet primary poll of the Republican race for president is released today – with more than 400,000 respondents to our non-scientific survey.

With 23% of the vote, Congressman Ron Paul wins our online survey. Paul has the most aggressive internet presence of any Republican candidate and has already won several online polls, not to mention raising $20 million last quarter, mostly online.

Pulling solid numbers behind Paul were Fred Thompson with 19% of the vote, and Mike Huckabee, a late rising star, with 16%.

Newsmax poll respondents believe Rudy Giuliani – with 28% of the vote – has the best chance of defeating Hillary Clinton.

The Newsmax poll shows surprisingly little support for former front-runner John McCain.

Among the Republicans listed in the poll results, Newt Gingrich has not announced that he will seek the nomination, and Tom Tancredo and Sam Brownback have dropped out of the race.

Newsmax will provide the results of this poll to major media and share them with radio talk show hosts across the country.

Newsmax reports have been cited by national major media, including Fox News, CNN and MSNBC.

Here are the poll questions and results:

1) In the following field, who is your 2008 candidate?

Sam Brownback: 0.46 percent

Newt Gingrich: 3 percent

Rudy Giuliani: 13.9 percent

Mike Huckabee: 16.2 percent

Duncan Hunter: 3 percent

John McCain: 3.9 percent

Ron Paul: 23.4 percent

Mitt Romney: 14.7 percent

Tom Tancredo: 1.9 percent

Fred Thompson: 18.7 percent

Alan Keyes: 0.92 percent

2) Which candidate is best able to defeat Hillary Clinton in the ’08 election?

Sam Brownback: 0.25 percent

Newt Gingrich: 2.7 percent

Rudy Giuliani: 27.8 percent

Mike Huckabee: 11.4 percent

Duncan Hunter: 1.3 percent

John McCain: 3.9 percent

Ron Paul: 20.4 percent

Mitt Romney: 13.8 percent

Tom Tancredo: 0.79 percent

Fred Thompson: 17 percent

Alan Keyes: 0.54 percent

3) Which candidate most closely represents your views?

Sam Brownback: 0.76 percent

Newt Gingrich: 4.5 percent

Rudy Giuliani: 8.9 percent

Mike Huckabee: 17.2 percent

Duncan Hunter: 4.9 percent

John McCain: 3.9 percent

Ron Paul: 24.3 percent

Mitt Romney: 12.7 percent

Tom Tancredo: 3.3 percent

Fred Thompson: 17.4 percent

Alan Keyes: 2 percent

4) Which candidate is best qualified to lead the war on terror?

Sam Brownback: 0.33 percent

Newt Gingrich: 3.7 percent

Rudy Giuliani: 22.7 percent

Mike Huckabee: 9.1 percent

Duncan Hunter: 3.8 percent

John McCain: 11.6 percent

Ron Paul: 21.2 percent

Mitt Romney: 9.5 percent

Tom Tancredo: 1.8 percent

Fred Thompson: 15.5 percent

Alan Keyes: 0.76 percent

5) Do you believe the Republican nominee, if elected, should pursue George Bush’s domestic policies?

Yes, pursue them: 29 percent

No, chart new course: 71 percent

6) Do you believe the Republican nominee, if elected, should pursue George Bush’s foreign and war on terror policies?